NFL Cuts: 53 San Francisco 49ers Worth Keeping

NFL Cuts: 53 San Francisco 49ers Worth Keeping

The rosters will be chopped down to the magic number (53) by 1pm Sept 4. I'm not expecting too many big surprises, but my roster list travels a little off the map here.

Much of my ridiculous forecast is based on where it seems like it would be smart to proceed with the roster additions and subtractions.

It's a little outside the box, but not too far off the deep end. Agree or disagree, enjoy this visual roster prediction.

1—QB1—Alex Smith

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Throwing off the front foot is a good thing.Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

This is probably the biggest no-brainer while creating a 53-man roster here. If Alex was on his way out, we would have noticed by now.

2—QB2—Davd Carr

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That's about it.Scott Boehm/Getty Images

David Carr was brought in to do exactly what he's doing. And he'll do it all season unless Smith gets busted.

3—QB3—Nate Davis

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long road aheadScott Boehm/Getty Images

Nate Davis will not touch the football this year, baring a catastrophe.

4—RB1—Frank Gore

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Gore: too much good stuff.Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Correction: this is the biggest no-brainer on the roster. Frank is the heart and soul of the 49ers offense.

5—RB2—Brian Westbrook

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Damn he looks good in Red and Gold.Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

I'm giving Westbrook the seniority here, as his veteran status simply outranks the rest of the running back corp.

6—RB3—Anthony Dixon

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Sweetness, only bigger, and not quite as good.Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

There's no way the 49ers cut Dixon after the pre-season he's been having. He's the team's future at running back, even if Gore is the present.

7—FB1—Moran Norris

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Franks the Tank's tank. A tank-tank, so to speak.Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Behind every great running back out of a power-I formation is a great Fullback. Actually, Scratch that. In front of every great running back out of a Power-I formation is a great fullback.

Norris is pretty dang good; Frank makes him even better.

8—WR1—Michael Crabtree

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Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Like so many other 49ers: he's young, talented and has stratospheric expectations to live up to.

9—WR2—Josh Morgan

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Stout for a WR, Morgan can block and shed tackles.Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The Knock on Morgan has been his inconsistency. There are some games where he just can't be found. Other times, he's a standout. Morgan's best contibution, however, is the 220-pound receiver's ability to block on running plays.

10—WR3—Ted Ginn Jr.

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Don't blink. Ginn has the ball!Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

The speed the 49ers craved last year showed up this off-season in the form of Ted Ginn Jr.

18—OL3(LG)—Mike Iupati

19—OL4(C)—Eric Heitmann

Starting center: you miss them when they're gone.Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Out the first couple weeks with a broken leg bone, Heitmann needs to come back strong when he returns.

20—OL5(RG)—Chilo Rachal

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The big guy is coming around.Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Rachal, a second round pick in 2008, is coming along nicely. Starting all but one game last year, he provides some experience next to Rookie Anthony Davis.

21—OL6(RT)—Anthony Davis

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That's a bad dude.Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The second big, bad, first-round pick will also start; not bad for a 20-year-old.

22—OL7(T2,G2) Adam Snyder

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Woolly mammoth.Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Snyder has made a start at every position except center. He's a versatile and valuable backup.

23—OL8(G2,T2)—Barry Simms

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Veteran linemanEzra Shaw/Getty Images

Simms returns to the 49ers this year as their oldest lineman. At 35 years-old, he'll be doing a lot of mentoring, but can also step in wherever needed. Simms filled in for Joe Staley for seven games in 2009, and did a good job.

24—OL9(C3,G3)—Tony Wragge

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The silent killerJonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Heitmann's out, making Wragge the backup center while Baas fills in.

25—DL1(NT1)—Aubrayo Franklin

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Rumble, big man, rumble.Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

The franchise nose guard is back.

26—DL2(RE1)—Justin Smith

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Professional.Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

A staple of the defense, Smith is ready for another good season; he knows no other kind.

27—DL3(LE1,NT3)—Isaac Sopoaga.

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Nick Laham/Getty Images

Fairly versatile big man on defense, Sopoaga is a brick to move.

28—DL4(NT2)—Ricky Jean Francois

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Smaller, but effective.Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

He's small and young, but can be effective.

29—DL5(LE2)—Ray McDonald

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Don't forget about him.Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Yet another good talent on the defensive line.

30—DL(RE2)—Demetric Evans

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Good stuff...lower the stance a little?Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

Adequate on the pass rush, Evans can work against the run too.

31—LB1(MILB1)—Patrick Willis

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look out.Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

You've never heard of Patrick Willis? That means you live under a rock.

32—LB2(MILB2)—Takeo Spikes

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Look out, part II.Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Aging like fine wine, Spikes returns for his 13th year.

33—LB3(LOLB1)—Manny Lawson

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Pass rush sleeper 20140.Scott Boehm/Getty Images

Lawson was a mild concern as an OTA holdout, but he did add 25 pounds of muscle during the off season.

34—LB4(ROLB1)—Travis LaBoy

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Can Travis stay healthy?Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Many see him as a starter—if he can stay healthy.

35—LB5(OLB2)—Ahmad Brooks

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Hit him!Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images

Coming off a lacerated kidney, Brooks looks to reignite the sack fire he started last year.

36—LB6(ILB3)—NaVorro Bowman

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Ouch!Harry How/Getty Images

The young man can play, and he will.

37—LB7(OLB3)—Parys Haralson

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Down goes Garrard.Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Haralson still needs to come out of his shell, but he's getting there.

38—LB8(ILB4)—Matt Wilhelm

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WilhelmDoug Benc/Getty Images

Adds depth as s special teams standout more than anything.

39—CB1—Nate Clement

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$$$Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Expensive, and he's no Revis, but he plays.

40—CB2—Shawntae Spencer

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Shutdown?Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Might actually be the best corner on the team.

41—CB3—Karl Paymah

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A good guy, for fans and teammates.Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Welcome to San Francisco, young man.

42—CB4—Tarell Brown

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Get that spit outta here!Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

More youth speed, and skill.

43—CB5—Phillip Adams

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He's got it.Jed Jacobsohn/Getty Images

Finally a recent picture of Adams. Welcome to the NFL, rookie.

44—S1—Dashon Goldson

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He's got it.Greg Trott/Getty Images

Best safety on the team.

45—S2(SS1)—Micheal Lewis

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Don't eat a fly.Ezra Shaw/Getty Images

Pretty intense: right for the position.

46—S3—Taylor Mays

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A star is born?Scott Boehm/Getty Images

Apparently, they do still make players like Taylor mays.

47—S4—Reggie Smith

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The cheerleaders are over here!Scott Boehm/Getty Images

Just another young, talented defensive back.

48—K—Joe Nedney

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kick it.Christian Petersen/Getty Images

Gotta have a kicker.

48—P—Andy Lee

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Best boot.Otto Greule Jr/Getty Images

Lee is a Pro-Bowl punter.

50—LS—Brian Jennings

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This guy?NFL Photos/Getty Images

Somebody has to snap it.

3 Spots Left...

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?Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

This is where it gets tricky...

51—RB—Michael Robinson

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get him!Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

No question this guy's name comes up every time the chopping block is mentioned; his running does not impress anybody. Blocking and tackling on special teams, however, save his place here.

52—FB—Brit Miller

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millerOtto Greule Jr/Getty Images

I think Miller get a shot from the get go this year. He does well on special teams as well, as he converted to fullback from linebacker.

53—OL—Alex Boone

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BooneEzra Shaw/Getty Images

When the press mentions cutting Boone, they include the likelihood that he'll be claimed off waivers by another team before the 49ers can get him to the practice squad. Keeping him aviods this mess.

And Then...

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Game on.Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images

Obviously this isn't official. Some spots (especially the last three here) leave the door open for debate and controversy. Actual rosters are revealed Saturday.